Acute Medicine

Module Aims
Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches to address complex cases and apply guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with cardio-respiratory conditions.

Module Content
Guideline directed approach to the management of patients with acute cardio-respiratory diseases including:

• Severe Hypertension
• Acute Heart Failure
• Acute Coronary Syndrome
• Arrhythmias
• Thromboembolic Disease
• Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Respiratory Disease
• Pneumonia
• Pneumothorax
• Pleural Effusions
• Acute Asthma
• Respiratory Failure
• Cardiac Arrest

Learning Outcomes

1. Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis and management of patients presenting with acute respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
2. Demonstrate an ability to apply evidence-based learning in acute cardiovascular and respiratory scenarios.
3. Appraise, reflect upon and create ways forward in the management of patients presenting with acute cardio-respiratory conditions within the multidisciplinary team.

Module Aims
Enhance the management of complex cases presenting with a variety of acute diabetic and endocrine conditions, and apply guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients.

Module Content
The management of patients presenting with acute diabetic and endocrine diseases, including:

• Diabetic Ketoacidosis
• Hypoglycaemia
• Hyperosmolar Non-Ketosis
• Acute Hypercalcaemia
• Thyrotoxicosis
• Hypocalcaemia
• Adrenal Crisis

Learning Outcomes

1. Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients presenting with acute endocrine conditions.
2. Critically analyse, interpret and evaluate evidence and guidance-based strategies in the management of acutely unwell patients with diabetic-related conditions.

Module Aims
Reformulate and use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches to assess and manage complex cases, and apply guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with gastrointestinal conditions.

Module Content
The management of patients presenting with Acute Gastrointestinal (GI) Illnesses, including:

• Upper GI Haemorrhage
• Acute Abdominal Pain
• Intractable Vomiting
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Acute Liver Disease
• Hepatic Encephalopathy
• Cirrhosis
• GI Infections (such as Dysentery and Gastroenteritis)
• GI Malignancy

Learning Outcomes

1. Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnostic synthesis and management strategy employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute GI conditions.
2. Demonstrate an ability to apply evidence-based learning and guideline-based treatment in acute GI disorders.

Module Aims
Apply guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients, facilitating the critical evaluation of actions, methods and results used in the management of acute infections.

Module Content
The management of patients presenting with acute bacterial, viral and fungal infection relating to all organ systems; the management, investigation and diagnosis of sepsis and bacteraemia; and the management of the immune-compromised individual in relation to infection.

Learning Outcomes

1. Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis and management of patients presenting with acute infections.
2. Critically analyse, interpret and evaluate the presentation, cause and management of the immune-compromised patients in the acute medical setting.
3. Demonstrate an ability to apply evidence-based practice and guideline-based treatment with acute infections and sepsis.

Module Aims
Develop a critical understanding of the assessment and management of acute neurological disorders and strokes, applying guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acute neurological disorders and strokes.

Module Content
The diagnosis and management of patients presenting with acute neurological disorders, including:

• Acute Stroke
• Epilepsy
• Cerebral Infections
• Cerebral Haemorrhage and Haematomas
• Venous Sinus Thrombosis

Presentations with:

• Acute Cerebral Malignancy
• Dystonias
• Ataxias
• Acute Neuronopathies
• Neuropathies
• Raised Intracranial Pressure

Learning Outcomes

1. Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis and management strategy employed in the investigation and treatment of patients presenting with acute neurological disorders.
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of evidence-based practice and guideline-based treatment in neurological disorders, including stroke medicine.

Module Aims
Develop a critical understanding of the assessment of acute kidney, metabolic and toxicological disorders and apply guideline and evidence-based care in the management of these disorders.

Module Content
The management of toxicological emergencies, such as overdoses (both accidental and non-accidental), acute drug reactions and anaphylaxis; the presentation of patients with metabolic and renal issues, including acute kidney injury, acid-base disorders, hyperkalemia and acute hyponatraemia; and the implementation of renal replacement therapy including dialysis.

Learning Outcomes

1. Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnostic synthesis and management strategy employed in the investigation and treatment of patients presenting with acute kidney disorders.
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the assessment and management of overdose and acute metabolic disturbance.
3. Apply evidence-based practice and guideline-based treatment in renal, metabolic and toxicological disorders.

Module Aims
This module is designed to help you recognise, understand, interpret and apply methods used in healthcare research and critically appraise the various methodologies specific to acute medicine research.

Module Content

• Analysis and evaluation of the choice of research tools and/or other methods of enquiry to address research problems.
• Terminology used in epidemiology and research studies such as prevalence, incidence, sensitivity, specificity, false positive and false negatives.
• Interpretation of graphical representation of epidemiological and statistical data such as Kaplan-Meier curves, forest plots and meta-analyses.
• Calculations used in the assessment of research data such as relative risk, absolute risk and number needed to treat.
• Statistical tests and their applications including T-Tests, ANOVA, chi-square.
• Qualitative research methods.
• Fundamentals of evidence-based practice and its application into the clinical setting.
• Principles of health economics, audit and quality improvement/assurance systems.
• Establishing patient registers and the value of disease specific registers.
• Research into educational principles for both healthcare practitioner and patient.
• Understanding what may work for the patient as well as the educator.

Learning Outcomes

1. Select and apply different methodological perspectives and tools to answer research questions in acute medicine
2. Critically analyse and interpret research in acute medicine

Module Aims
The module aims to develop your ability to critically appraise specific areas of clinical, research and/or organisational practice and develop skills in independent research, study and writing for publication.

Module Content
The module will depend on the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific clinically related project relevant to your practice. You will select a specific project and submit a project summary/proposal (1,200 words). Once your proposal has been approved, the professional project (10,800 words) is then completed through online guidance and supervision from your tutor.

The project may comprise:

• Literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
• Audit of practice including organisational or clinical.
• Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
• Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated).
• Case-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.
• Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment.
• Learning Outcomes
• Design and undertake a research/development project related to acute medicine.
• Critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements for change.
• Incorporate knowledge of the research process in developing services appropriately.

As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.

Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.

Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.

When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.

You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.

You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.

The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.

We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.

Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.

Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.

All of our courses are delivered in English, so proficiency in the English language is essential for success. If English is not your first language, we require proof of competency as part of your application. We accept the following as proof of English Language skills:

We Accept a Range of English Language Qualifications
While IELTS and TOEFL are among the most commonly used English tests, we understand that students come from diverse backgrounds — and we’re happy to work with you to accept a wide range of other recognised English language qualifications.

We accept IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Our most commonly accepted test, IELTS is globally recognised and widely used for university admissions.

We accept TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Another widely accepted test, TOEFL assesses your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in an academic setting.

We accept English Medium of Instruction (EMI) Letters
Many of our international students provide an EMI (English Medium Instruction) letter from their previous institution. This letter should confirm that you were taught in the medium of English. It is a popular and widely accepted form of proof, especially if you have completed prior academic studies in English.

Our University partners Requirements
The University of South Wales accepts an overall score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 for each band) and The University of Buckingham accepts an overall score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 for each band).

Our Flexible Instalment Plan is designed to offer ultimate flexibility to pay for your programme. You have the choice of two payment options:

Make an Upfront Payment in Full: For those who prefer to settle their fees upfront, you can pay the full amount at the beginning of your programme.

Interest-Free Payments: Alternatively, you can choose to spread your payments out with interest-free instalments every month for the duration of your course.

These options are separate from our existing lending partners, which you can explore further on our programme pages. We believe that education should be accessible to all, and our Flexible Instalment Plan is just one of the ways we are committed to supporting you in your academic journey.

We currently offer two discounts: the Early Bird Discount and the Action Taker Discount. The Early Bird discount allows you to save up to £500 or more, available only to self-funders and is a limited-time offer that runs for the entirety of November for the March cohort or the entirety of May for the September cohort. Our Action Taker Discount allows you to save up to £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify for Action Takers, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance.

For Early Bird Discounts, the discount is visible if your application and acceptance are completed within the required timeframe. For Action Taker Discounts, it will reflect once conditions are met.